A Sprinkle of Sorcery

Gr 3-7–Fliss, Betty, and Charlie Widdershins live with their father and granny on Crowstone Island. Having just returned from their last adventure, they are not prepared for the appearance of a ghostly pale girl named Willow, accompanied by a wisp. Willow has escaped from the neighboring island of Torment, the home for banished residents where she has been unjustly imprisoned with her family. With a gift for calming wisps, she is being hunted by two ill-willed men in search of lost treasure. These men kidnap Charlie, mistaking her for Willow, prompting the start of a rescue mission. Fliss, Betty, and Willow set off to save Charlie, encountering a group of pirates along the way. While they befriend a young pirate named Spit, the ship’s captain Ronia becomes their most feared adversary. Led by tales from their childhood and a magical map, they navigate and conquer each challenge they encounter. The Widdershins sisters are a strong group of young women, and Betty’s motto—“she who tries triumphs”—will resonate with many readers. References to the first novel are sprinkled throughout, but the book is readable as a standalone adventure. The novel moves at a fast pace, and the parallels to a fictional tale from the girls’ childhood makes the ending predictable. Most main characters are cued as white. Skip is described as having skin “the shade of burnt gold” and Ronia’s skin is tan.